Category: Citizen Science

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Volunteers Needed for Sam’s Point Breeding Bird Survey 2019

The Sam’s Point Area of Minnewaska State Park Preserve is looking for volunteers to participate in an annual breeding bird survey. The data that is collected will be used to understand how a recent 2,027-acre wildfire may have impacted the birds that breed here. The fire burned through a designated Bird Conservation Area that is used by a diverse array of bird species. With the help of volunteers, this survey will illustrate which birds are still using the area. We are looking for experienced birders that can identify NY birds by sight and sound.

  • Surveys will take place Wednesday and Friday mornings from May 10 to June 28 (you do not need to attend all survey dates).
  • Volunteers will arrive at 6:00 am and surveys will end by 10:00 am.
  • We will meet in the Sam’s Point Parking lot: 400 Sam’s Point Road, Cragsmoor, NY 12420.
  • Each day, we will survey 8 sites, some of which are right next to the trail, while others may require some minor bushwhacking.
  • After the surveys, you are welcome to stay and explore the trails and natural wonders that Sam’s Point has to offer. Volunteers get free parking for the day!

If you are interested in volunteering, please email Christine Seymour at christina.seymour@parks.ny.gov, and she will send you more information about the survey and how to sign up for your preferred dates.

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The New Checklist Is Here! The New Checklist Is Here!

Grasshopper Sparrow, from “Nature neighbors, embracing birds, plants, animals, minerals,” 1914, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

During the summer of 2018, Ajit Antony organized a mini breeding bird survey of Orange County, which was conducted with the assistance of 15 other Mearns Club members. The birds to be surveyed were chosen on the basis of a poll of club members and are listed below, along with their statuses on the Mearns club Orange County checklist:

  • Yellow-billed Cuckoo (former breeder)
  • Black-billed Cuckoo (former breeder)
  • White-eyed Vireo (nonbreeder)
  • Ruffed Grouse (former breeder)
  • Magnolia Warbler (breeder)
  • Blackburnian Warbler (breeder)
  • Sora (nonbreeder)
  • Red-headed Woodpecker (former breeder)
  • Yellow-breasted Chat (breeder)
  • Eastern Whip-poor-will (former breeder)
  • Yellow-rumped Warbler (breeder)
  • Blue Grosbeak (breeder)
  • Osprey (nonbreeder)
  • American Black Duck (former breeder)
  • Grasshopper Sparrow
  • Nashville Warbler

Continue reading “The New Checklist Is Here! The New Checklist Is Here!”

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Sam’s Point Breeding Bird Surveys

From Jessica Reker, SCA-Americorps Ecosystem Steward and Education Assistant, Minnewaska State Park Preserve – Sam’s Point Area (Jessica.Reker@parks.ny.gov), (845) 647-7989

I am in need of a volunteer or two for the breeding bird survey this Friday, June 2nd. I currently have no volunteers for Friday. Here is the doodle poll to sign up: https://doodle.com/poll/bm39bnxs5urhz9wn. Also, in general I am looking for more volunteers to sign up for the surveys. If you know of someone who may be interested in the survey if you could encourage them to think about and sign up for even one survey that would be great. If anyone has contacts with other birding groups or knows of other resources to post in to find more volunteers, please send me the contact information! Thanks for volunteering and your help. Happy Birding!